Hi all,

Has anyone ever had a problem with a leak from the Oil Filter when tightening by hand? For the first two oil changes, I brought my truck into the dealership (mostly for convenience since I was traveling). I finally had the opportunity to perform my first oil change on my F150 the other day and everything went fine. That is until I checked my oil again about 3 days later and noticed it was down a quart. Looking under the truck, I found that there was a small leak from the Oil Filter. Tightened it by hand again, however, it didn't help (noticed additional oil on the ground the next day). I finally used a filter tool to tighten it a bit more (even though this is typically not recommended for fear of damaging the gasket) -- so far, so good (no problems). Has anyone else had this problem or do I just need to spend additional time at the gym ?

Thanks in advance


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2000 F-150 XLT Supercab, 5.4L, 4x4, 3.55 gears

• Premium AM/FM Radio with CD
• Polk DX7 Speakers (front), EX7 (rear)
• Smittybuilt sure step bars
• Ford (Duraliner) Bedliner
• Class III Tow Package
• Superchip
• Ravin Z-55 SI/SO Exhaust
• K&N Gen II FIPK
• Eaglite Xenon 100/80w headlight bulbs
• GE 9005 Halogen bulbs (fogs)

 

I had the same problem on my EXPY 5.4. Just had to tighten the crap out of it. The 5.4 in my lightning has a different setup and a 1/2 turn from snug works.
Mike

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00 White L 4903
99 EB Expy
91 LX 5.0 Conv.

 

Yep, had the same problem also. Just wait when you try removing it, it's a pain. I recommend the K&N oil filter. It has a 1" nut on the end of the filter, which makes tighting and removal easy. Don't forget to get a 1" stubby wrench.

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1999 4x4 F250 LightDuty XLT SuperCab 5.4L, 3.73, 4R100 trans.
Flowmaster exhaust, K&N FIPK, Superchip, Rancho RSX shocks, Hellwig rear swaybar, Stull billet grille, PIAA Air Dam with 2-PIAA Pro80XT's (85W Superwhites), 4-KC Daylighters (150W), Performance Accessories 3" Body Lift, 33/12.5/17 ProComp Mud Terrains on 17x8 American Racing Atlas Rims. Kenwood 7007 CD, Alpine 3342 Signal Processor, Alpine MRV-F353 5Ch. Amp, Pioneer TS-A6865 3-way speakers, MTX Thunderforms. CompuStar alarm/autostart.

 

It seems that my filter leaks a bit when you tighten the filter according to the directions. I usually have to snud it another 1/8 of a turn. I have'nt had to use a wrench though I can usually do it by hand!


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I tighten it 1 full rotation from initial contact. I use a "cap" type filter socket, universal, long extension and rachet, through the wheel well. It's a lot easy than trying to get it tight by hand with the front diff in the way. I loosen it the same way. Mine hasn't leaked at the one full turn.

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2001 F150 XLT Supercab 4WD ORP 5.4L, Black clearcoat, Downey SST cover....Yellow ORP fender decal REMOVED!!!

 

I doubt if you need the gym but a couple of comments that you probably already know.
Coat the new filter's gasket and threads with oil and make sure your hands don't have oil on them when you apply pressure.

 

When installing the filter do you oil the "rubber" seal on the filter? Be sure you do apply oil to the seal before installing it.

Also, before installing the new filter be sure to take a rag and wipe and clean the surface of the ring that contacts the filter.

Any crud left on will cause leaks.

You should never have to tighten the filter more that snug hand tight.

 

I almost always have to tighten mine a bit more to avoid it leaking a few drops. I always check mine a day or two later to see if the filter needs to be tightened. I have never had a problem of it leaking more than a few drops..and certainly have never had to add any oil.

The last 2 5.4L F-150s (2000s) I have owned have been like this. My 1998 5.4L F-150 never leaked...but the filter was vertical. FORD should have left the filter in that location.

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with super engine cooling/auxiliary transmission cooling HD package, Heavy duty shocks, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, FORD bedliner, FORD black tubular cab steps, K&N air filter, mar-hyde rubberized undercoating, Modine climate filtration system, Bugflector II, Mobil 1 oil, build 7/2000

 

Thanks to all for your quick replies. Nice to know that I am not alone. Regarding the answers to the general questions above: I have prepped the gasket on the filter and cleaned the area where the filter seats (although I do not know how carefully I checked if there were any remains of the previous gasket left over -- will look closer next time).

Has anyone else used the K&N Filter that Jupiterak recommends? Sounds like it would be pretty useful in these situations. Also any comments on the general quality of these filters?

Thanks again!

 

I always oil the filter gasket and then tighten 1/2 turn by hand and about another 1/4 to 1/2 turn more with the filter wrench. Have never had a leak. Never even bother to check after doing it this way for over 20 years. It works every time.

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2000 F150 Harley-Davidson: Superchip, K&N FIPK
Hard Tonneau, Hidden Hitch, 2-Meter Rig (KG0UK)
Motorcycles: '99 FLHRCI, '95 XLH